Teleworking is gaining traction, bringing widespread benefits to employees and employers alike. The onset of COVID-19 has given teleworking a push, and businesses and employees are both finding that it is a viable solution most of the time. In fact, teleworking leads to an increase in employee productivity, as well as a decrease in employee turnover and employee absenteeism. Read on to learn how telecommuting can be advantageous to your business.
Benefits to Employers
Employers have historically expressed concern about allowing remote work. They feared that employees might not complete the job on time and that they could be difficult to contact. However, technology has changed all of that. There are many programs that allow for real time collaboration, as well as conferencing apps that permit employers to check in. In addition, companies have access to a much larger pool of employees when they offer remote work positions. Take a look at the following benefits for employers:
Increase in Employee Productivity: When employees are able to work in their own environment, they have control over the number of distractions in their day. Many jobs require employees to focus for hours at a time without interruption, and they can do this without being distracted by coworkers.
Reduction in Employee Absenteeism: Teleworking allows your employees to start work on time without traffic delays or absenteeism due to accidents or other car troubles. In addition, employees often start working early and are more willing to work a little later to finish a task because they don’t have to commute home at the end of the day.
Increase in Employee Retention: Allowing teleworking helps to reduce employee turnover. It provides employees with greater flexibility, which is known to be important to millennials. In addition, you will not lose employees when they move. Women are also more likely to work longer during pregnancy and early motherhood when they can work from home.
Reduction in Office Space Needs: When you have employees working from home, you will not need office space for them. Not only will this reduce your rent costs, but it will also reduce your electricity and other utility bills as well as your Wi-Fi costs.
Improved Mental Health for Employees: Employees who work from home have lower anxiety levels. They will not have to deal with unnecessary stress due to workplace drama, which leads to improved mental health and greater happiness with the job.
Access to a Larger Pool of Talent: When you hire employees for telecommuting positions, you have access to a larger pool of talent. You are not limited to employees who live in your immediate community. This greatly expands your ability to find the best person for each job.
Access to Employees with Necessary Skills: Because you have access to a larger pool of job candidates, you will be able to focus on candidates who already have the skills you are looking for. This saves time and money on training new employees for the job.
Reduced Equipment Costs: In some cases, you may need to provide equipment for employees to work from home, but there are many situations where you don’t. Many freelance workers already have their own computers, printers, and other equipment necessary to do the job.
Have Work Done 24 Hours a Day: As an employer, you can hire people in different time zones so that work is always being completed. This is particularly useful if you want to offer your customers 24/7 customer service or support.
Increase Global Base: You can expand your business globally by hiring people in other countries who speak the language. Customers will be able to receive support and service in their native language, and this always increases customer satisfaction and increases brand loyalty.
Reduction in Carbon Footprint: Showing your customers that you have policies that reduce your carbon footprint is important today. When you have a teleworking policy, you will reduce your company’s impact on the environment by decreasing emissions from traffic pollution during commuting, conserving office space, reducing your electricity needs, and more.
Allows Continuity in the Face of Unforeseen Circumstances: If your business is already set up with remote workers, the likelihood of maintaining operations when a disaster such as a pandemic, hurricane, or anything else prevents people from being able to come to the office.
Benefits to Employees
There are many benefits to employees who telework as well. The quality of life can be much improved, and employees can have more meaningful interactions with their families. They save time and money, which allows for more diversity and opportunity in their personal lives. There are widespread healthy, mental, physical, and quality of life benefits to employees who work from home. Take a look at the following:
Financial Savings: Employees who work from home save a significant amount of money by eliminating their commute. They save money on gas, tolls, auto maintenance, and other commuting expenses. These savings can be significant. In addition, they save money on eating out during the day. Finally, they have reduced costs for work attire.
More Time: The time that employees spend commuting alone can improve the quality of their lives by providing more time for exercise, family interactions, and other activities that improve quality of life.
Improved Health and Fitness: When employees are able to telework, they can find time for fitness and other health-related activities more easily. They can eat healthier meals, and they are not exposed to colds or other illnesses that people have at work.
Decreased Schedule Conflicts: Employees who work from home are able to maintain a better balance between work and personal commitments. They can start work earlier to make time for a doctor’s appointment, or they can finish up later if they need to attend to another personal situation. This is much easier to manage when they work from home.
Increase in Community Involvement: Employees who work from home are able to increase their community involvement. Parents who want to volunteer to coach their son’s Little League team or help out at schools are able to make commitments to do these things.
Reduction of Individual Carbon Footprint: The reduction in pollution from auto emissions alone is huge when employees work from home. They also tend to have less waste because they are more conscientious when using their own materials such as paper and printer ink.
Increase in Productivity: Employees can find a comfortable workspace free of distractions, which will boost their productivity. They can get more done in less time without the distractions of the break room or having to go out for lunch. They will be more motivated to complete tasks so that they can engage in other activities that are meaningful to them.
Reduction in Anxiety: Teleworking allows for a huge reduction in anxiety and stress. Commuting alone is stressful, with the constant worry about an accident or traffic making employees late. They have fewer conflicts, and they will not have excess office drama to worry about.
Greater Happiness: People who work remotely are happier because they have more control over their lives. They have the flexibility to work in an environment that is most conducive to their own productivity, and they have fewer conflicts that interfere in their personal relationships. When people are happy with their jobs, they are happier in life.
How Employees Can Get the Most Out of Teleworking
Teleworking should improve the quality of life and productivity for employees and employers alike. There are some key steps that employees can take to maximize the benefits of working remotely. Take a look at the following:
Create a Distraction-Free Workspace: Employees should create a workspace that is free of distractions. It can be in the corner of a room or a designated home office. It should be free of clutter and only used for working. This helps to establish the right mindset during work hours.
Set a Schedule: Many remote jobs will provide you with a schedule, but you should plan the rest of your day. If your company doesn’t provide a schedule, plan when you will work and treat it as you would if you were commuting. This will allow you to maximize the advantages of working from home.
Get Dressed Every Day: It may seem great to be able to work in your pajamas, but it takes away from your mindset. You should be available for video or chat meetings, and you will be if you are dressed. Getting dressed for work from home helps you to distinguish between working and pleasure, and it will lead to greater productivity.
Plan Your Breaks: It is easy to stay focused longer when you work from home, so you will want to plan breaks so that you don’t burn out.
Plan Exercise: One of the benefits of working from home is the opportunity to exercise regularly. Plan your exercise, whether it is a morning workout, a lunchtime walk outdoors, or an afternoon game of tennis.
Be Available When You Are Working: Make sure that you are available when you are working. Check your email regularly, and answer calls. Communication is critical to teleworking success.
How Employers Can Get the Most Out of Teleworking
Employers can also take steps to reap the rewards of a teleworking policy. Through effective communication and clear expectations, employees who work from home will deliver the desired results. It is important to make sure that employees feel engaged and in sync with the company. Take a look at the following steps that will help employers benefit from telework policies.
Communication Is Essential: It is important to communicate with remote employees regularly. Use videoconferencing and collaboration online to ensure verbal interactions. Employees will feel more engaged and be less likely to feel isolated or unsure of what they need to do.
Set Clear Expectations: Text messaging can lead to misunderstandings. It is important to use video conferencing or other verbal communication methods to ensure that expectations are clear. Employees need to know exactly what is expected of them. They should know if there are set hours that they must work and any guidelines for completing tasks. Setting clear expectations will ensure that employers and employees are on the same page.
Help Employees Feel Connected: Set up meetings using tools like Microsoft Teams to keep employees connected and feel part of a team. Create collaborative opportunities whenever possible, and schedule teleconferencing meetings to recognize successes. Taking steps to create a culture of teamwork will help get the most out of remote employees.
Manage by Results: Managing remote employees is different from managing employees at the office. It is counterproductive to try to manage every minute of their days. Adjust to a results-based approach where you measure employees’ productivity by what they accomplish with less focus on how they accomplish it. If they are producing the work you assign and meeting deadlines, they are meeting your expectations.
Teleworking: Final Words
As teleworking grows in popularity, it is opening doors for both employers and employees. When it is effectively managed, teleworking has many benefits, and employees tend to be more productive and lead happier, healthier lives. Millennials who have grown up in the era of technology expect greater flexibility, and many companies offer it.
Implementing the right technology solutions and policies will simplify your company’s transition to supporting telework. We offer a range of solutions to facilitate telework, including VPNs, collaboration tools, productivity tracking, IT consulting, and more. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn how we can help you increase employee productivity, simplify collaboration, and transition seamlessly to telework opportunities for your employees.
